Lake County, IL Arrest: Highwood Man Faces 5 Felony CSAM Counts

Highwood, IL – A 32-year-old Highwood man has been arrested after Lake County sheriff’s detectives say they found child sexual abuse material involving children as young as approximately 8 years old.

According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, cybercrime detectives began investigating after learning that images and videos of child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, involving children younger than 13 were allegedly being shared from an electronic device in Highwood.

Investigators traced the device to an apartment in the 100 block of High Street, authorities said. Detectives obtained a search warrant and executed it Thursday with assistance from the sheriff’s SWAT team, Illinois Attorney General’s Office and Highwood Police Department.

Authorities identified the resident as Jake H. Laverick, 32. Detectives seized electronic devices belonging to Laverick, including a cellphone that investigators believe was allegedly being destroyed as officers entered the residence.

The sheriff’s office alleges investigators subsequently found Laverick possessed CSAM involving children as young as approximately 8.

After reviewing the investigation, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved five counts of possession of child abuse material, each a Class 2 felony.

Sheriff John D. Idleburg said the case demonstrates the work of the department’s Internet Crimes Against Children team and its law enforcement partners to identify people who allegedly possess and distribute CSAM.

Laverick was due in court Friday morning. Prosecutors intend to petition the court to keep him detained while awaiting trial, according to the sheriff’s office.

The charges are allegations. Laverick is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.